It takes twoEverything is cool at Sushi Tango. The bartender has a New York City attitude, the chefs are focused and quick, and the sake flows as the sushi is served. With soft house music and dance-club pop playing in the evenings, patrons come to Tango for the fine entrees and rolls and to enjoy a hotspot in a downtown that is experiencing a renaissance.
The restaurant, which opened more than a year ago, can be intimate in the back dining area that is ideal for couples. The front bar area is hipper and trendier. Bartender Josh Lefkowitz, also a nearby resident, serves the traditional sakes, but he is able to mix it up with the Cuban coolers mojitos, cosmos for the ladies and everything in between for the hard drinkers and lightweights.
“The nightlife crowds starts coming for dinner at 8 p.m. and they gather at the bar by 9 p.m.,” Lefkowitz said last Saturday night while mixing a pair of mint mojitos.
Executive chefs Ino and Hiro, who have worked in New York City for many years, bring their attention to detail and classy presentations to Tango. With specialty rolls like “I Love Octopuses” ($11), marinated octopus and cucumber wrapped with salmon and spicy sauce; Hidden Dragon ($12), eel, mango and avocado; Phoenix ($13), spicy tuna over avocado, served with ponzu sauce; and Sweet & Sweet ($13), sweet shrimp, avocado, pickles, wrapped with spicy tuna. They also offer a variety of hot appetizers like shumai, gyoza, seafood yaki, and tofu steak; salads, soups and teriyakis for those who prefer an alternative to the sushi. Tango offers teriyakis dinners like chicken ($10.95), shell steak ($14.95), shrimp ($15.95), salmon $14.95), and lobster tail ($17.95).
Crouching Tiger, terrific Jersey
I began my Sushi Tango experience with a hot bowl of miso, the traditional Japanese soup ($1.75). After the warm appetizer, I went roll-crazy and became one with the Tango experience. I started with the terrific Jersey roll ($13). The fried oyster was wrapped with eel and beautiful presented on a traditional Japanese sushi plate. The freshness of the oysters dominated the roll’s taste while the eel complimented the flavor. For seasoned sushiasts, I recommend the Jersey. I then engaged myself with the large Crouching Tiger roll ($13). It was served with spicy tuna rolled with rice paper and wrapped in three kinds of fish. The fish flavor was undeniable. The Tiger is almost like a back-to-basics sushi dish with the strong fish presence taking over the taste buds. I concluded my three Tango roll night with the popular Craig roll ($13). Named after a Sushi Tango fanatic who ordered the roll almost every night for more than a year, the Craig is a large portion of crispy soft shell crab and eel with a sweet sauce. It is one of the best tasting rolls I’ve enjoyed, and Lefkowitz said he recommends it to his patrons when they ask for a roll.
Sushi Tango is at 516 Jersey Ave. in Jersey City. The kitchen is open seven days a week. Weekday lunch is served from 11:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. and dinner is from 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Weekend lunch is from noon to 3 p.m. and dinner is offered from 4:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. For information call (201) 332-8300. q
Pullout:
“The nightlife crowds starts coming for dinner at 8 p.m. and they gather at the bar by 9 p.m.” – Josh Lefkowitz
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